Most children love sidewalk chalk (although my oldest daughter insists on using one of those chalk holders or wrapping a paper towel around the chalk because she doesn’t like the feel of it on her fingers). It is a great (and cheap) way to keep the kiddos entertained for a while. Here are some prompts to get your artist(s) started if they get stuck for ideas.

• Roadmaps
  • My family loves to make winding roads with stops along the way…Dairy Queen, the pet store, a parking lot.
  • Then they ride their bikes or scooters around their new town.
• Hopscotch
  • Start simple and make a traditional hopscotch outline.  Then let them get creative.
• Welcome Signs
  • Whenever we have summer company, my kids make welcome signs in chalk on our driveway.
  • There have been many a 4:30 afternoon (you know what I am talking about), when I have insisted everyone get OUT of the kitchen while I am making dinner and go and make welcome messages/pictures for Daddy, who will be coming home from work soon!
• Chalk Mazes
• Family Outlines
  • My kids loved to be traced in chalk and then draw in the details
• Classic Tic-Tac-Toe
• Chalk Stakeout
  • Chalk a house with windows and doors. Have several areas (windows, doors, chimney) to capture. Chalk a baseline about 5 feet away (for younger children 4 feet away).
  • Take turns tossing a small rock onto the house. When a rock lands in a section that can be captured (like a door or window) mark the capture with initials. After all the sections are captured, each player counts up his Stakeouts. The player with the most Stakeouts wins!
  • Penalties:  Lose a turn if your rock lands on another player’s Stakeout. The toss doesn’t count if it lands less than half-way over the line.
• Use Wet Chalk
  • Dip chalk in water and see the colors really POP.
• Be Amazed by This 3D Sidewalk Chalk Artist!
  • Watch this with your family and get inspired

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